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See one of Costa Rica's renowned rain forests at Pura Vida Gardens, or climb a set of wooden steps up to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. AmaWaterways does allow children over age 8, allowing for multi-generational river cruises with the grandkids as well. Onboard, the ships have a so-called riverlorian who gives lectures about historical topics, such as the Mississippi River or Lewis and Clark. Nightly entertainment is lively, and often embraces American classics. For passengers with disabilities, accessible suites are available on all ships and can accommodate a wheelchair or motorized scooter.
Panama Canal Cruise Port Highlights
Passengers often choose an Atlantic to Pacific or Pacific to Atlantic route, depending on where they live, although you'll gain hours if you choose the latter. (Some people prefer to have their longer one-way flight at the beginning of a trip, instead of the end.) With this trans-canal option, you spend a day on the canal, crossing from ocean to ocean and going through the complete lock experience. If having the full "canal experience" is part of your bucket list -- or if you're an engineering geek and don't care too much about shore excursions within Panama itself -- this trip is for you. Most full Panama Canal cruises do call in the Western Caribbean, the Costa Rican ports of Limon (on the Atlantic side) and Puntarenas (on the Pacific), and Cartagena, Colombia. American Cruise Lines sails two types of riverboats -- traditional and modern -- as well as coastal cruise ships. Experience one of the wonders of the modern world on Holland America Line’s Panama Canal cruises.
Viking's 180-day World Voyage
Wi-Fi is complimentary, and each ship has several libraries and chart rooms for browsing. All of Silversea's ships (except expedition vessels) accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. The line's low single supplement is an attractive incentive for widows and widowers, and anyone else traveling solo. Men of a certain age are onboard many cruises to serve as gentlemen hosts, socializing, dining and dancing with the single ladies onboard. Depending on the ship, specialty restaurants include the French fare at Le Dame by Relais & Chateaux; Indochine and Seishin, serving Asian-inspired cuisine; or La Terrazza, honoring the Italian heritage of the family-owned cruise line. New ships boast S.A.L.T., a culinary adventure program that delves into local cuisines.
NEW! Caribbean & Panama Canal
You'll first see the skyscrapers of Balboa on the port side, then eventually the Bridge of the Americas will come into view. Take some photos and video as you go underneath it; if it's too crowded with passengers jockeying for position, head aft on the ship and snap some after you pass under it. Originally known as the Thatcher Ferry Bridge, the Bridge of the Americas connects North and South America and serves as the gateway to the Pacific Ocean. After traveling through the Miraflores Locks, which allow the ship to finish the descent to sea level, you have 8 miles to find a spot on deck, grab a flute of Champagne and get your phone or camera ready.
Let Princess Get You There
During dinner hours, you can order meals from the dining room directly to your suite through room service. Viking cruises offer inclusive pricing, covering all meals, beer and wine during lunch and dinner, port charges, internet access, lectures, activities and at least one shore excursion in every port. When looking for the best cruise lines for senior travelers, Cruise Critic sought out lines that cater more to adults than children, though several of our choices feature activities for seniors as well as families.
If you're not a fan of tours, know that in Colon, city officials have regulated taxis and provided good shopping and cafe facilities at the two main cruise ship docking areas, Colon 2000 and nearby Cristobal Pier. Shore excursions on Tauck river cruises are thoughtful and interesting, and often go a step beyond what you might find on other lines. At an American cemetery in Luxembourg, for example, passengers may be given a rose to place at the gravesite of a veteran. Dinner off the ship might be held at a Michelin-starred restaurant in a vineyard. Tauck also often includes pre- and post-cruise trips within its fare with logistics covered.
San Juan del Sur Excursions: A Volcanic Adventure in Nicaragua
For a one-way Panama Canal transit that visits six countries (Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico) and offers six relaxing and luxurious days at sea, consider Seabourn's 21-day Caribbean & Panama Canal Passage. The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December. Some ships sail a full transit of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or vice versa. These one-way journeys between Miami or Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Diego, visits ports in Central America, South America, Mexico and California. Regent Seven Seas dining options are top notch and plentiful, with all dining options included in the fare.
From the East Coast Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale
While many Panama cruises bring only a day of canal-related sightseeing, the seven-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal sailings that Windstar Cruises offers on its 212-passenger Star Pride promise a much deeper exploration. The ship also docks for a night and day at Balboa, Panama, on the canal’s Pacific side, for tours to the nearby Miraflores Locks and related exhibit halls (the Miraflores Locks lower ships into the Pacific). The trips are rounded out by a beach day at Panama’s pristine Isla Parida and two outdoorsy stops in Costa Rica where passengers have the opportunity to bird-watch and hike in rain forests or kayak through mangroves.
A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city. If you are doing a full transit through to the Pacific Ocean side and you're staying in the area, you might want to carve out some time for the Miraflores Visitor Center. However, as of press time, the four exhibition halls that portray the canal's history, construction, biodiversity and importance are temporarily closed for renovations.
THE 6 BEST Cruises from Galveston to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 6 BEST Cruises from Galveston to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:05:07 GMT [source]
Viking’s new expedition ships have a protected slip that allows passengers to board small Zodiac vessels inside, as opposed to doing so while exposed to outdoor elements. Cabins with sunrooms and windows that lower for fresh air, as opposed to balconies, mean that senior cruisers can stay cozy, even in chilly conditions. If big, bustling resorts are your thing, your best bet by far for a Panama sailing is one of the handful of voyages available on Norwegian Cruise Line’s two biggest vessels, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy.
Length of the cruise and time of year are not an issue as they are both retired. As you approach the Miraflores Locks, the last set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean, there is a live stream webcam by the Visitor Center. It's often slow, refreshing only every five or 10 seconds, but it can still be fun to text or call friends and family and have them look for you. The guide will have downtime during certain parts of the day, so feel free to ask questions then. While passing through Gatun Lake, you'll be amazed at how wide it is in spots. At 180 square miles, it was the world's largest artificial lake at the time it was constructed.
Don't miss the Culebra Cut, an artificial valley through the Continental Divide made by cutting through the Culebra Mountains; it's recognizable by the staked, stepped cuts. Unless you have a companion to save you a spot, know that you will give up your original seat if you choose to move to another area for a different perspective.
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